In the heart of Bila Tserkva, a tranquil city central to Ukraine, 59-year-old history educator Vitalii Dribnytsia makes his daily rounds at a vibrant cafe, setting his laptop onto the table to connect with strangers on Chatroulette. His mission is profound yet straightforward: dispel Russian misconceptions about Ukrainian history.
One afternoon, Dribnytsia connects with a middle-aged man who appears from a grocery store, and without wasting any time, he poses a provocative question: “Who does Crimea belong to?” The man responds swiftly, “To us,” showcasing a perspective steeped in historical denial.
What ensues is a fast-paced dialogue covering crucial moments, from Ukraine's struggle for independence between 1917 and 1921 to discussions on the Ukrainian language. Despite attempts to engage, the Russian man ultimately dismisses the complex realities presented to him, asserting, “The internet will tell you everything. Ukraine never existed and never will."
Dribnytsia has dedicated himself to these conversations for nearly three years amidst ongoing war, striving to dismantle the Kremlin’s narrative that suggests Ukrainian identity is fabricated and that Ukraine rightfully belongs to Russia. Every day, he engages Russians online, addressing deeply entrenched beliefs that Ukraine was a Soviet creation, that its leadership comprises neo-Nazis, or that its language is merely a variant of Russian.
His discussions, recorded and shared on YouTube, have garnered significant attention in Ukraine, further establishing his impact. Operating under the banner “Vox Veritatis,” which translates to “The Voice of the Truth,” Dribnytsia's channel has amassed nearly half a million followers. Ukrainians flock to his videos not only to educate themselves about their own history but also to fortify their arguments in support of Ukraine’s autonomy and cultural heritage.
One afternoon, Dribnytsia connects with a middle-aged man who appears from a grocery store, and without wasting any time, he poses a provocative question: “Who does Crimea belong to?” The man responds swiftly, “To us,” showcasing a perspective steeped in historical denial.
What ensues is a fast-paced dialogue covering crucial moments, from Ukraine's struggle for independence between 1917 and 1921 to discussions on the Ukrainian language. Despite attempts to engage, the Russian man ultimately dismisses the complex realities presented to him, asserting, “The internet will tell you everything. Ukraine never existed and never will."
Dribnytsia has dedicated himself to these conversations for nearly three years amidst ongoing war, striving to dismantle the Kremlin’s narrative that suggests Ukrainian identity is fabricated and that Ukraine rightfully belongs to Russia. Every day, he engages Russians online, addressing deeply entrenched beliefs that Ukraine was a Soviet creation, that its leadership comprises neo-Nazis, or that its language is merely a variant of Russian.
His discussions, recorded and shared on YouTube, have garnered significant attention in Ukraine, further establishing his impact. Operating under the banner “Vox Veritatis,” which translates to “The Voice of the Truth,” Dribnytsia's channel has amassed nearly half a million followers. Ukrainians flock to his videos not only to educate themselves about their own history but also to fortify their arguments in support of Ukraine’s autonomy and cultural heritage.
